Double revolving disc refiners and methods of their use

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for improving the performance, capability and durability of double disc refiners characterized by the unique application and use of shower waste at the periphery of the disc refiner plates.

United States Patent 151 3,685,747 Horstman 1451 Aug. 22,1972

1541 DOUBLE REVOLVING DISC REFINERS [56] References Cited AND METHODS OF THEIR USE UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Invent a? sprngfield' 1,795,603 3/1931 Hussey ..2 41/15 x 2,139,933 12/1938 Chenoweth ..241/15x Assignee: The Bauer Bros. Co. Springfield Ayers X Ohio 3,207,450 9/1965 Horstman .241/251 3,331,905 7/1967 111m ..241/15x 22 'l 1 Fl ed Oct 5,1970 Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. [21] Appl. No.: 77,889 Attorney-Jerome P. Bloom 57 ABSTRACT 521 US. Cl. ..241/15,241/41,241/255 1 51 1111.01 ..B02C 7/06 A method and apparatus ""P the P [58] Field ofSearch....24l/15 41 46.02, 46.06 245 fmname, capability and durability duble disc refiners characterized by the unique application and use of shower waste at the periphery 'of the disc refiner plates.

26 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENT'EI'J M1822 I972 sum 1 052 R w W w ANTON J. HORSTMAN A TTORNE Y PATENTEflmszzm: v v 3.685747 SHEET 2 BF 2 I INVENTOR ANTON J. HORST MAN BY 2 94a, m

A TTORIVE' Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in double revolving disc refiners and more particularly to a construction producing improved flowthrough, reducing operating load, minimizing vibrations, increasing plate life, and improving end products.

With the advent of large disc refiners and the high power required for their operation, there occurred many problems, a number of which have been satisfactorily solved. However, basic problems still remain. There has always, in the operation of double revolving disc refiners, for example, been a serious problem with steam generation. This has stemmed from the energy released in operation of the. refiner discs. Moving at high speed, they create such a degree of frictional heat in operating on a pulp slurry as to substantially instan-' taneously convert any water present to steam. The action is somewhat explosive in character, being accompanied, in most cases by blowback of material into the attached feeder. Even more serious are attendant rumbling noises which also produce severe vibrations of the equipment. Further problems appear in the creation of undesired plate separation by individual pockets of steam so generating. This last affects refining capabilities and results in chunks or masses of material in the refiner fibrous product discharge.

Heretofore, the only way in which the above problems have been handled, to some degree, is by keeping slurry feed consistency quite low; That is by introducing large amounts of water with the material to be refined, amounts sufficient to somewhat minimize steam generation or the effects thereof. In most cases by keeping feed slurry at a consistency of 20 percent or below, blow-back, vibrations, poor product discharge, and the like have been kept not within satisfactory or acceptable but within tolerable limits. Of course, the requirements for added refining procedure, maintenance and replacement of parts attendant the normal use of the high load large disc refiners have continued to present severe economic problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above mentioned problems in a most simple and highly unexpected manner. It provides for a diverted application of water or a portion of the water normally used with the infeed of a pulp slurry for disc refining. The diverted water or water eliminated from the slurry infeed is directed in a manner to apply the same generally radially to the peripheral rim portions of the refiner discs and in the plane of separation of their refining surfaces, as set in an operating position.

While it is not as yet clearly understood as to the scientific basis for the phenomena developed, test have proven that extremely unique and highly advantageous The net and unusual result of the invention is to enable an ordinary double revolving disc refiner having a rated capacity to operate on higher consistency pulp, and at even less power than required for operating previously on lower consistency pulp. Moreover, the

flowthrough in disc refining is so much freer as to significantly increase capacity and quality of the refined pulp product. Ancillary to all the foregoing is a smoother and quieter operation of the double disc refiner so as to substantially reduce irritating noise levels, wear and maintenanceproblems. An offshoot of the invention which will naturally follow will be in many cases a reduction of the refining passes to which materials must be subjected before they are ready for their end use.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide improvements in double revolving disc refiners and methods of their use rendering them more economical, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to create malfunction problems.

, A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in double revolving disc refiners and methods of their use so as to substantially reduce and eliminate rumbling and vibration in the operation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide in the use of double revolving disc refiners a critical application of shower water producing unexpected smooth, quiet and effective throughflow with improved end products resulting.

An additional object of the invention is to provide means and methods enabling a double disc refiner to operate on higher consistency material with reduced load and with quieter operation than heretofore deemed feasible.

A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in double disc refiners and methods of their use possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the'invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows a vertical cross sectional view of a double revolving disc refiner embodying the invention concept;

FIG. 2 is a generally schematic perspective view of the double revolving discs of the refiner of FIG. 1 illustrating the application thereto of shower water in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing case detail and the preferred method of embodying the shower devices of the invention which are schematically represented in position in FIG. 2', and

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3. Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The disc refiner of the drawings is detailed only to the extent necessary for a comprehension of the present invention. Any elements to which there is reference and which are not specifically shown will be well understood by those versed in the art.

As seen in the drawings, the double disc refiner there illustrated includes a housing comprised of an upper cap unit 11 and a lower half section 12. The latter is shown to have an opening 13 at its bottom for discharge from the housing 10 of the refined product.

The opposite sides of the housing 10, as defined by the opposite sides of the half sections 11 and "12, have directly aligned generally central openings defined at what may be considered the entrance side by a short tubular projection 15. At the opposite side of the housing the opening is defined by a similar tubular projection 16. Of course, it will be obvious that the tubular projections 15 and 16 are comprised of semicircular half sections formed integral with and rimming mating recesses in the adjacent edges of the upper and lower vertical wall portions of the housing 10.

Looking to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it is there seen that a feed spout 17 is bolted to the outer face of the projection 15. The spout 17 includes an inclined flow passage 18 the discharge extremity of which is expanded and communicates with the adjacent entrance opening to the housing 10. Not shown but normally in connection with the feed spout 17 is a tubular means defining a feed passage incorporating helical feed screws, the latter of which may be variably operated to meter a pulp slurry, for example, to flow to and through the passage 18 and directly into the circular series of divergent fiow passages 24.

The discharge end of the spout 17 has the opening therefrom rimmed by a short annular projection 19 which nests within and in peripheral contact with the inner surface of the housing projection 15. Fixed within the projection 15, in outer peripheral contact therewith and in end abutting relation to the projection 19 on the feed spout 17, is a ring element 20.

As may be seen, centrally positioned within the housing 10 are a pair of relatively opposed refiner disc units 21 and 22, the disc unit 21 having its face remote from its operating surface most adjacent the entrance opening to the housing 10. The disc unit 21 is an open disc and mounts on one end of a drive shaft 23. The latter projects inwardly of the housing 10 through a bearing seal in one side of the feed spout 17 and into the housing 10 in a position centrally of the ring 20.

As further seen in FIG. 1, the disc unit 21, in its thickened hub portion immediately about the projected extremity of shaft 23 within housing 10, includes a circular series of divergent flow passages 24. The entrance ends of the flow passages 24 are immediately opposite the discharge opening from the feed spout 17 and spaced to the inner side of the ring 20. From their entrance ends, the passages 24 conically diverge to open intermediate the disc units 21 and 22 in a space about their centers. Integral with the back face of the disc unit 21, in concentric spaced relation to the circle defined by theentrance ends of the passages 24, is an annular projection 25. Nested within this annular projection 25 and fixed to the back face of disc unit 21 about the entrance openings to the passages 24 is the externally flanged end of a ring element 26. From immediately adjacent the disc unit 21 the inner surface 27 of ring 26 is formed to be conically convergent to a plane immediately adjacent the entrance to housing 10 by way of the projection 15. This inner surface 27 defines a channel for slurry from passage 18 to flow directly to and through the passages 24 and at the en trance portion thereto is made uniformly cylindrical in configuration. As may be seen, the outer surface of the ring 26 positions in bearing relation to the inner surface of the ring 20.

As thus related, the fixed ring 20 and the ring 26 which is connected to and driven with the disc unit 21, form a bridging flow passage which interconnects the feed passage 18 in the spout 17 and the diverging flow passages 24 in the disc unit 21.

As shown, the disc units 21 and 22 are gradually thinned outwardly from their hub portions to provide substantial clearance between the back thereof and the inner wall surfaces of the housing 10.

In the example of the disc assembly illustrated, each disc unit comprises a backing plate having a projected refining surface. Looking to the disc unit 21, the hub portion of its backing plate, which includes the flow passages 24, is rimmed at its face innermost with reference to housing 10 by an annular recess 29 the outer limit of which lies immediately within the outer periphery of the disc plate. Nested in and relatively projected from the recess 29 is a series of identically formed refiner plates 30 which provide the refining surface. In assembly, the refiner plates 30 have an annular configuration and each is an identically formed segment of the annulus defined thereby. Thus, the refiner plates 30 mount in adjacent end abutting relation to form a ring which encircles the hub portion of the disc unit 21, or more specifically its backing plate. The refiner plates 30 here provide a projected refining surface having a profile the inner peripheral portion 31 of which inclines outwardly of the backing plate in a long gradual slope from its said hub portion. The outer peripheral portion 32 of the operating profile of the refiner plates forms a continuation of the slope of the portion 31 but at a much lesser angle, so as to approach a flat.

At the operating face of the disc unit 21, the aforementioned hub portion which is peripherally bounded by the refiner plates 30 includes a portion 34 which relatively projects in the form of a conical section. The projected extremity of this section 34 lies in a plane adjacent but spaced beyond that achieved by the refining surfaces of the plates 30.

Referring now to the side of the housing 10 remote from the feed spout 17, the projection 16 has in connection therewith means bridging and centrally positioning, within the opening defined thereby, a bearing unit 35 which rotatably accommodates a drive shaft 36. The inner projected end of the drive shaft 36 terminates in the housing 10 in adjacent spaced relation to and coaxial with the shaft 23. The inner end of this shaft 36 within the housing fixedly mounts the disc unit 22. The latter is a closed disc and is positioned, as

mentioned previously, directly opposite and in adjacent spaced relation to the disc unit 21; The face of the backing plate portion of the disc unit 22 adjacent the disc unit 21 includes a recess 29 similar to the recess 29 seating a ring of refiner plates 30' identical with, directly opposite, and adjacent the refiner plates 30 on the disc unit 21.

Thus, the respective series of plates 30 and 30' on the disc units 21 and 22 provide directly opposed and immediately adjacent annular refining surfaces; The inner peripheral portions 31 of these refining surfaces cooperate to form an entrance throat 40 which facilitates the entrance and flow of stock therebetween in a manner to be further described.

The central portion of the operating face of the disc unit 22, as provided by its disc formed backing plate, is positioned directly opposite the conically projecting section 34 on the hub of the disc unit 21. and is recessed to seat a disc shaped wear plate 42. The wear plate 42 is a replaceable distributor device which is releasably connected in thehub of the backing plate of disc unit 22.

The plate 42 provides a continuous outer face 43 dished to its center, its sides having a uniform slope to afford a direct flow path from its center to the entrance throat 40 of the refiner plates 30 and 30' which position immediately thereabout. The face 43 includes radially coextensive projected ribs 44 spaced 90 apart. The projected surfaces 45 of the ribs 44 have a uniform gradual outward slope from the center of the dished surface 43 to a point 46 adjacent an inner peripheral circle defined by the discharge ends of the flow passages 24 in the disc unit 21. From this point the ribs 44 have their outermost surfaces inclined to lie in a plane adjacent and generally parallel to the conical surface of the projection 34 on the disc unit 21, which includes the discharge ends of the flow passages 24.

Suitable means are conventionally connected to the shafts 23 and 36 for, direct and relative drive thereof to enable their relative rotation in opposite directions. Conventional means are further provided to position the operating surfaces of the plates 30 and 30' in immediately adjacent relatively rotating relation as required for the particular application.

To this point the aforedescribed structure is known and conventional. The details thereof, however, must be understood and comprehended sufiiciently to understand the operation of the double disc refiner and the application thereto of the concepts of the present invention.

As to the foregoing conventional construction, when the drive shafts are energized to rotate the disc units 21 and 22, stock in the form of a low consistency slurry may be delivered through the passage 18 of the spout 17 to flow through the bridging flow passage defined by the ring elements and 26 and to and through the flow passages 24 in the disc unit 21. As the stock exits from the flow passages 24, at the entrance to throat 40, it discharges on the outer peripheral portions of face 43 of the relatively rotating plate 42. In the direct path of the discharges are the radially projected extremities of ribs 44, the surfaces 45 of which swing past the discharge ends of the passages 24 in a plane immediately adjacent thereto. Therefore, the extremities of ribs 44 intercept and sling the discharged stock into the entrance to the throat 40. The force and nature of this interception and orientation of the stock on discharge is to provide a uniform dispersion facilitating its move ment to and between the opposed refining surfaces on the relatively adjacent disc units. The wear plate has further function in conventional operation in inhibiting inward movement of discharged stock and the accumulation thereof between the disc assemblies.

The conventional structure described in detail to this point has solved many basic problems that have developed in disc refining procedures. It has remained, however, that for the reasonable and relatively acceptable operation of the double revolving disc refiner of this nature and others the consistencies of the pulp slurry delivered thereto in a refining procedure have had to be low, not higher than 18 to 20 percent solids. Even then, it has been found in many instances that the high speed operation of the double revolving discs has created that much energy and heat that in passage of the slurry, even most effectively to the throat 40 and between the refining surfaces of the discs, steam is generated which in many cases has affected the feed, necessitated high power application and there have been objectionable noise level and vibration problems. Understand that the level of these objectionable occurrences has heretofore been deemed acceptable because it has been the best that it has been possible to achieve with the heretofore known improvements in the double disc refining art.

Attention is directed to the fact that there is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings a conventional plug wiper 49 through which water is normally pumped to assist in maintaining the through flow of slurry in the refining procedure. Further, as has been indicated heretofore, water is normally added in the screw feeder in delivery of the slurry to maintain the consistency of the pulp fed low enough to avoid the problems of the prior art heretofore mentioned. This is the status of the prior art and the improvements of the invention follow.

In the modification of the present invention, particularly represented in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it is seen that the portion of the upper half 11 of the case 10 which peripherally encompasses the upper half of the disc units 21 and 22, has its inner wall in peripherally spaced relation thereto and including a flatted top 50 and downwardly sloping, uniformly divergent side portions 51. Centered in the top 50 and in each of the sloping side portions 51 is an opening, in each of which openings is releasably secured a plate 53. Mounted to project through openings in each of the plates 53 on the inclined side portions 51 of the upper case section 11 is the discharge portion 54 of a conduit 55. A seal is provided about each portion 54 as it is projected through and in angular relation to the related plate 53. With the plates 53 in position on the inclined sides of the case section 11, the axis of each conduit portion 54 is positioned, in the example illustrated, at about 22 to a horizontal, directed to the center of the disc units in the plane of their immediate separation.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the discharge extremities 56 of the discharge portions 54 are fishtailed so as to provide a nozzle-like opening therefrom in the form of a laterally expanding slit 57 In one test conducted proving the invention a section of pipe inch in diameter was used for the discharge portion 54. On fishtailing its discharge extremity 56 to form a nozzle, an expanding slit opening therefrom was made to be approximately 1/16 inch in depth. In another test where a inch diameter tubing was used, the fishtail extremity was similarly formed so the depth of the slit was /4; inch.

Further, looking to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the flattened fishtail extremities 56 on the two conduit discharge portions 54 applied to the opposite inspection plates 53 are so oriented that their nozzle slits lie in a generally common plane and one defined between refining surfaces of the disc units 21 and 22. As positioned, the discharge extremities of the fishtails will lie, preferably, in the neighborhood of 1 inch to 2 inches from the periphery of the opposed refiner plates 30 and 30 and in the plane of separation therebetween. However, good results have been obtained with a spacing of 3 h inches and it is indicated that a spacing up to 5 inches to 6 inches is possible with attendant benefits.

It is noted that the conduits 55 will be connected to a source of liquid under pressure, which source may be water or any desired modification to suit the application.

In the practice of the invention with the improvements as just described, rather than having to introduce substantial amounts of supplemental water through the plug wiper and in the infeed to the double disc refiner through the feed screw, such can be substantially reduced and the material can be serviced and caused to flow and be refined freely with substantially less water than utilized previously.

In accordance with the invention, as the refiner is placed in operation, shower water is introduced to move simultaneously through conduits 55 to discharge in a substantially wall-like flow from their fishtailed tubular extremities 56. This discharge in the embodiment illustrated is from opposite points at the inclined sides of the upper portion of the case 10. Note plates 53 not only afford simple mount and servicing of the nozzles but can also serve as inspection plates. Thus, in the operation of the double disc refiner as described there will issue from the slits 57 of the fishtails 56 expanding substantially planar showers of water which impinge on the periphery of the opposed refining plates 30 and 30' which are relatively rotating at high speed. Substantial portions of the shower water will also find its way to the outer peripheral portions of the refining surfaces provided by the refining plates, moving inwardly therebetween, and then rapidly moving back under the influence of centrifugal force and with discharging pulp. From tests efiected it appears that the inflow of shower water under pressure adds to the pulp material moving between and being reduced by the refining surfaces a physical conditioning to more readily expose and loosen the individual fiber elements, making them more susceptible to separating in the final portion of their outward flow. This shower water will be kept at a temperature level sufficiently low to inhibit its conver sion to steam on impact. Absolutely unique and unexpected results are achieved. This shower water as so applied and positioned has proven to be operative to produce a noticeable change in the overall operation of the double revolving disc refiner. Results obtained show that the peripheral rims of the refiner plates, with the minimal but apparently critical application of the fishtail showers are kept substantially clean and continuously cleared. Tendency of discharging refined pulp to accumulate in this area is absolutely minimized. Also, the peripheral portions of the refining surfaces are kept relatively free and provide for ready passage and discharge of refined materials. The application of the shower water as positioned and described has in a not too clearly understandable manner also inhibited the energy produced in the high speed refining operation by the disc refining surfaces from creating or generating objectionable or excessive steam within the refiner and between the refining plates. Belief is that the shower water acts to almost instantaneously condense steam-which might form and creates a low pressure in the peripheral region of the refiner plates which minimizes the direction of energy of refining to the creation of instantaneous and explosive pockets of steam which have had such a detrimental and deteriorating effect in heretofore practiced double disc refining operations. A side effect is the free and accelerating influence on flow through of the material being worked. This increases the refiner capacity.

As will be self-evident, there has been a diverted use of water or liquid to peripherally assist in the ability to pass the material to be refined between the refining surfaces. This means that the material to be refined is enabled to enter the throat of the double disc refiner and pass between the refining surfaces at a substantially higher consistency than heretofore. The actual effect has been such that the power demanded for feed of the now higher consistency slurry has been reduced to the level of an idle load and the high consistency material is rapidly and efficiently refined and discharged with minimal of interference and in a much smoother and quieter operation than heretofore imagined possible.

Whereas before in this double disc refining procedure chips or pulp in whatever form it might be had practically to be pushed into the eye of the refiner, with the invention the movement is quite easy and continuing with a minimal amount of water and correspondingly at a much higher consistency. The significance of the latter is that it has enabled a much better refining result in a single pass through the refiner.

To illustrate, a particular double disc refiner was operating with a feed at a consistency of 18 to 20% solids, with a high power demand and with only fair end products. When converted for practice of the present invention the feed consistency was enabled to be increased to 26 percent solids and the power required for operation utilizing the invention was simultaneously reduced by 18 percent. Simultaneously there was achieved in a single pass a fiber product having significantly improved properties. Also the refiner operated smoothly and without expected vibration and blowback. As will be obvious, the savings, let alone the benefits, are tremendously significant to the art.

From the test results it would now appear that with the new system as provided by the invention refining consistencies of up to 30 percent and even 50 percent are possible with minimal problems.

Of considerable importance to the workers and requirements for its operation. There was also enabled I the refining at a feed of 28 to 29 percent consistency rather than 18 to 20 percent, with the feeder motor running much more-smoothly than originally. In addition, on blue glass observation the resultant fiber products showed fibers discharging which looked much longer and more silkier than ever before achieved from refiner ground wood. Side advantages found to develop in this particular test'was a reduction of shive content in the refined product in a single pass to a degree greater than previously attained. The burst strength was increased'in the neighborhood of 50 to 70 percent. The total estimated economic benefit determined from this test was that the invention would reduce the cost of refiner groundwood between $2.00 and $3.00 a ton. And this was only in the application of the invention to a single refiner of the refining system.

Accordingly, the first mentioned problems that have existed for years in the prior art have been substantially eliminated by the invention, simple though the solution has proven to be. It is to be understood the invention is applicable to and its results and benefits as described will obtain when refining any fibrous pulp material, for example wood chips, sawdust, shavings, bagasse and even straw.

Of course, the precise form, position and number of the devices for applying the shower water to the peripheral rims of the refining plates has been illustrated in what has proven to be a highly successful achievement. However, it nevertheless remains that there are certain obvious modifications that may be made in the structure and system that will lie within the comprehension of the present invention.

From the above-description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but ,which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A disc refiner comprising a pair of disc units one of which rotates relative the other, and means for infeed of a material for refining between said disc units and Ill discharge at their periphery, characterized by means for applying fluid in said refiner to facilitate the refining procedure including means for directing at least a portion of said fluid substantially radial to the peripheries of said disc units to impinge thereon. I

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said last named means including means spaced circumferentially of said disc units each adapted to direct fluid to impact under pressure in the peripheral area of said disc refining surfaces and adjacent thereto.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said directing means having in connection therewith a source of liquid and said directing means being arranged to deliver said liquid to peripheral surface portions of the disc refining surfaces at a temperature and location to inhibit the formation of steam between said disc units.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 characterized by nozzle delivery means for said liquid the discharge end of which is positioned relatively adjacent said disc unit peripheries to discharge, at least in part, therebetween.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said directing means including discharge nozzle means positioned to forcefully deliver fluid in a plane between said disc units.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 characterized by said nozzle means being formed to produce a shower discharge.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 characterized in that said nozzle means has a fish-tail discharge slit oriented in the plane of separation between said disc units.

8. Apparatus as in claim 6 characterized by nozzle means positioned to discharge at least at spaced generally opposite portions of the peripheries of said disc units.

9. A disc refiner comprising a pair of revolvable discs one of which rotates relative the other, said discs being opposed and mounting projected refining surfaces which in operating position are in immediately adjacent cooperating relation, peripheral edges of said projected refining surfaces defining therebetween the peripheral discharge area of said refiner, means for infeed of fibrous material to said refiner for passage between said disc refining surfaces and means for directing fluid substantially on and between said refining surfaces to inhibit the formation of steam in the refining procedure.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said directing means include spray means discharging at one radial extremity of said refining surfaces.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 characterized in that said spray means is defined by at least one nozzle device the discharge end of which provides at least one slit openingdirected substantially in a plane of operation of said refining surfaces.

12. Apparatus as in claim 9 characterized by said directing means terminating in nozzle means directed at the peripheral edges of said projected refining sur-.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said nozzle means is positioned between about 1 and 5 inches from the peripheral edges of said refining surfaces.

15. Apparatus as in claim 13 characterized by said nozzle means opening to said refining surfaces between one and 3% inches from the periphery thereof.

16. A method of refining utilizing a double disc refiner consisting of the steps of positioning the refining surfaces of said discs in adjacent opposed operating position, rotating one of said discs relative the other, flowing therebetween the material to be refined and simultaneously flowing fluid substantially on and between said discs to facilitate and expedite throughflow and the refining of said material.

17. The method of claim 16 characterized by directing said fluid inwardly of said discs in a sense to flow in a plane of their refining surfaces, from one radial extremity thereof.

18. The method of claim 17 characterized by directing said fluid at the outer periphery of said discs, in a radial sense.

19. The method of claim 17 characterized by directing said fluid in jet shower form from positions immediately adjacent the periphery of said refining surfaces to impact on and clean the same while simultaneously driving inwardly in a sense of the plane of separation of said refining surfaces.

20. The method of claim 19 characterized by directing said jets in fish-tail form from positions within 6 inches of the outer peripheral edges of said refining surfaces.

21. A disc refiner comprising a pair of revolvable discs one of which rotates relative the other, said discs being opposed and mounting projected refining surfaces which in operating position are in immediately adjacent cooperating relation, peripheral edges of said projected refining surfaces defining therebetween the peripheral discharge area of said refiner, means for infeed of fibrous material to said refiner for passage between said disc refining surfaces and means for directing fluid inwardly between said refining surfaces under pressure, from a periphery thereof, to condition the fibrous particles as they move radially outward and apply a force factor to expose and loosen the individual fibers to render them more susceptible to separation in the final portion of their outward flow.

22. A method according to claim 16 wherein the material to be refined infeeds between said discs in accompaniment with a fluid to fonn a slurry, characterized in that the fluid inflowing with said material is limited to provide a high consistency flow in the range of 25 to 30 percent and said fluid simultaneously flowed between said discs is applied in a manner to create a low pressure in the region of the peripheral portions of the refining surfaces of such discs.

23. A method according to claim 16, wherein the simultaneously flowing fluid is directed under pressure to impinge on the disc peripheries to penetrate between the discs and suppress vaporizing of fluid infeeding with said material whereby substantially to reduce fluid requirements in infeeding material.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the refining surfaces of said discs define a relatively narrow clearance space therebetween, the simultaneously flowin fluid in intr uc into said s ce in flat stream form 011% a gl ur ity of clrcuii erentially spaced locations.

25. A disc refiner according to claim 21, wherein the infeeding fibrous material is passed between said disc refining surfaces in the form of a high consistency slurry, and the fluid inwardly directed under pressure between said refining surfaces is applied in a manner to inhibit fluid infeeding with the fibrous material from vaporizing between said discs and without excessively decreasing the consistency of the slurry discharging from the refiner.

26. A disc refiner according to claim 21, wherein the projected refining surfaces of said discs define a clearance space therebetween, the means for directing fluid inwardly between said refining surfaces including a fluid discharge means disposing substantially radially of said discs and terminating in a nozzle aimed into said clearance space and flatted to discharge a fish tail shaped flat spray, said discharge means being oriented to dispose the discharging spray in the plane of said clearance space.

UNITED STATES 'MTENT OFFICE CETIFICATE F CQREC'HQN Patent No. 3,685,747 Dated Jugust 22 19 72 InVnt Anton J Horstman It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract, line 4, "waste" should read water Col. 6,' line 18, the numeral "18" should appear in ordinary rather than bold type as shown.

Col. 8 line 51 the numerals "l8" and "20" should appear in ordinary type. form rather than in bold face type as shown.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of April 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.PLETCHER ,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) znnggur vn'imifi'e OFFICE: 1959 mass-3:4 WW 

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said last named means including means spaced circumferentially of said disc units each adapted to direct fluid to impact under pressure in the peripheral area of said disc refining surfaces and adjacent thereto.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said directing means having in connection tHerewith a source of liquid and said directing means being arranged to deliver said liquid to peripheral surface portions of the disc refining surfaces at a temperature and location to inhibit the formation of steam between said disc units.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 characterized by nozzle delivery means for said liquid the discharge end of which is positioned relatively adjacent said disc unit peripheries to discharge, at least in part, therebetween.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said directing means including discharge nozzle means positioned to forcefully deliver fluid in a plane between said disc units.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 characterized by said nozzle means being formed to produce a shower discharge.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 characterized in that said nozzle means has a fish-tail discharge slit oriented in the plane of separation between said disc units.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 6 characterized by nozzle means positioned to discharge at least at spaced generally opposite portions of the peripheries of said disc units.
 9. A disc refiner comprising a pair of revolvable discs one of which rotates relative the other, said discs being opposed and mounting projected refining surfaces which in operating position are in immediately adjacent cooperating relation, peripheral edges of said projected refining surfaces defining therebetween the peripheral discharge area of said refiner, means for infeed of fibrous material to said refiner for passage between said disc refining surfaces and means for directing fluid substantially on and between said refining surfaces to inhibit the formation of steam in the refining procedure.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said directing means include spray means discharging at one radial extremity of said refining surfaces.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10 characterized in that said spray means is defined by at least one nozzle device the discharge end of which provides at least one slit opening directed substantially in a plane of operation of said refining surfaces.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 9 characterized by said directing means terminating in nozzle means directed at the peripheral edges of said projected refining surfaces.
 13. Apparatus as in claim 12 characterized by said nozzle means being oriented to discharge radially of said refining surfaces and in a sense inwardly of an operating plane thereof, keeping said peripheral discharge area clear of pulp accumulation while inhibiting the incidence of steam forming between said plates in the refining procedure.
 14. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said nozzle means is positioned between about 1 and 5 inches from the peripheral edges of said refining surfaces.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 13 characterized by said nozzle means opening to said refining surfaces between one and 3 1/2 inches from the periphery thereof.
 16. A method of refining utilizing a double disc refiner consisting of the steps of positioning the refining surfaces of said discs in adjacent opposed operating position, rotating one of said discs relative the other, flowing therebetween the material to be refined and simultaneously flowing fluid substantially on and between said discs to facilitate and expedite throughflow and the refining of said material.
 17. The method of claim 16 characterized by directing said fluid inwardly of said discs in a sense to flow in a plane of their refining surfaces, from one radial extremity thereof.
 18. The method of claim 17 characterized by directing said fluid at the outer periphery of said discs, in a radial sense.
 19. The method of claim 17 characterized by directing said fluid in jet shower form from positions immediately adjacent the periphery of said refining surfaces to impact on and clean the same while simultaneously driving inwardly in a sense of the plane of separation of said refining surfaces.
 20. The method of claim 19 characterized by directing said jets in fish-tail form from positions Within 6 inches of the outer peripheral edges of said refining surfaces.
 21. A disc refiner comprising a pair of revolvable discs one of which rotates relative the other, said discs being opposed and mounting projected refining surfaces which in operating position are in immediately adjacent cooperating relation, peripheral edges of said projected refining surfaces defining therebetween the peripheral discharge area of said refiner, means for infeed of fibrous material to said refiner for passage between said disc refining surfaces and means for directing fluid inwardly between said refining surfaces under pressure, from a periphery thereof, to condition the fibrous particles as they move radially outward and apply a force factor to expose and loosen the individual fibers to render them more susceptible to separation in the final portion of their outward flow.
 22. A method according to claim 16 wherein the material to be refined infeeds between said discs in accompaniment with a fluid to form a slurry, characterized in that the fluid inflowing with said material is limited to provide a high consistency flow in the range of 25 to 30 percent and said fluid simultaneously flowed between said discs is applied in a manner to create a low pressure in the region of the peripheral portions of the refining surfaces of such discs.
 23. A method according to claim 16, wherein the simultaneously flowing fluid is directed under pressure to impinge on the disc peripheries to penetrate between the discs and suppress vaporizing of fluid infeeding with said material whereby substantially to reduce fluid requirements in infeeding material.
 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the refining surfaces of said discs define a relatively narrow clearance space therebetween, the simultaneously flowing fluid being introduced into said space in flat stream form from a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations.
 25. A disc refiner according to claim 21, wherein the infeeding fibrous material is passed between said disc refining surfaces in the form of a high consistency slurry, and the fluid inwardly directed under pressure between said refining surfaces is applied in a manner to inhibit fluid infeeding with the fibrous material from vaporizing between said discs and without excessively decreasing the consistency of the slurry discharging from the refiner.
 26. A disc refiner according to claim 21, wherein the projected refining surfaces of said discs define a clearance space therebetween, the means for directing fluid inwardly between said refining surfaces including a fluid discharge means disposing substantially radially of said discs and terminating in a nozzle aimed into said clearance space and flatted to discharge a fish tail shaped flat spray, said discharge means being oriented to dispose the discharging spray in the plane of said clearance space. 